Shopping cart extender

Abstract

Embodiments of a shopping cart extender are disclosed. The shopping cart extender may be affixed to the top front of a conventional shopping cart such that it may be engaged in a vertical position such that the top of the shopping cart extender is level with the top of the handle of the shopping cart. When the extender is in an upright position, it forms a securing surface which is level with the rear of the cart and has side holders such that materials may be securely carried on the top of the cart and not slide off. The shopping cart extender is rotatable such that it rotates back into the shopping cart and does not interfere when the shopping cart is nested with another shopping cart.

1 . A shopping cart extender for use in conjunction with a conventional shopping cart, such shopping cart having a rearward end which is hinged and capable of swinging inward, a handle on the top rearward end, and a tapered front portion such that the front of one shopping cart may be pushed into the interior of another shopping cart through the rearward end and the shopping carts nested to take up less space when not in use, and the shopping cart having a longitudinal plane which is vertical and passes through the midpoint of the handle of the shopping cart which comprises: 
 (1) a bar which is generally in the shape of an open rectangle and which is rotatably affixed to the top front of the shopping cart and is perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of the shopping cart; and    (2) engagement means such that the bar may be rotated upward and forward and secured in a vertical position such that the top of said bar is level with the top of the handle of the shopping cart and such that when the shopping cart is nested with another shopping cart said bar disengages and rotates rearward and downward into the shopping cart;    whereby an operator may engage the shopping cart extender in a vertical position and, because the top of the handle and the top of the shopping cart extender are level, conveniently carry long loads resting on the top of the handle and the top of the shopping cart extender.    
   
   
       2 . The shopping cart extender of  claim 1  in which said bar is engaged forward of vertical.  
   
   
       3 . The shopping cart extender of  claim 1  in which said bar is engaged rearward of vertical.  
   
   
       4 . The shopping cart extender of  claim 1  in which a stop protrudes upward from each end of the top of said bar, where upward is with the shopping cart extender engaged.  
   
   
       5 . The shopping cart extender of  claim 2  in which a stop protrudes upward from each end of the top of said bar, where upward is with the shopping cart extender engaged.  
   
   
       6 . The shopping cart extender of  claim 3  in which a stop protrudes upward from each end of the top of said bar, where upward is with the shopping cart extender engaged.  
   
   
       7 . The shopping cart extender of  claim 1  in which an ear protrudes upward from each end of the handle of the shopping cart.  
   
   
       8 . The shopping cart extender of  claim 2  in which an ear protrudes upward from each end of the handle of the shopping cart.  
   
   
       9 . The shopping cart extender of  claim 3  in which an ear protrudes upward from each end of the handle of the shopping cart.  
   
   
       10 . The shopping cart extender of  claim 4  in which an ear protrudes upward from each end of the handle of the shopping cart.  
   
   
       11 . The shopping cart extender of  claim 5  in which an ear protrudes upward from each end of the handle of the shopping cart.  
   
   
       12 . The shopping cart extender of  claim 6  in which an ear protrudes upward from each end of the handle of the shopping cart.